Leg press machine

ABSTRACT

A leg press exercise machine that provides translational and rotational motion of the user support structure by translating the user support structure along two intersecting non-orthogonal linear paths. A front portion of the user support structure travels along an inclining linear path and a rear portion of the user support structure travels along a declining linear path. The translation of the user support structure along the inclining and declining linear paths results in the user support structure exhibiting a rational motion, defining an arcuate path.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is related to and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/361,617, filed Mar. 04,2002, entitled LEG PRESS MACHINE, and is a continuation-in-part (CIP) ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/789,071, filed Feb. 02, 2001,entitled LEG PRESS MACHINE, which is related to and claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/186,138, filed May 9,2000, entitled LEG PRESS MACHINE, the entirety of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] n/a

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of exercise andphysical rehabilitation equipment, and in particular to apparatus forexercising the legs and lower torso.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is often necessary or desirable for a person to exercise aparticular muscle or group of muscles, such as to recover from surgeryor injury, to increase strength, stamina and endurance, and to maintainan active and healthy lifestyle, as well for aesthetic purposes. Variousmachines have been developed to exercise different muscles and musclegroups by forcing the muscles to contract and extend under a load, suchas by moving a free weight against the force of gravity or by moving anobject whose movement is resisted by resistance force, such as a springor a weight attached to a cable and pulley system.

[0005] One exercise that has been developed to exercise the leg musclesis known as the leg press. A leg press involves a pushing motion whereina person pushes with his/her feet and legs to extend the legs from a hipand knee flexed starting position to a hip and knee extended finishingposition, thereby contracting the muscles in the legs and lower torso,namely the quadriceps, gluteal, and calf muscles, as well as anyancillary muscles involved in such a motion.

[0006] A typical leg press machine includes a footplate and a seat. Auser sits in the seat, generally facing opposite the footplate, appliesforce to the footplate in the leg press motion, which is typically acompound motion of the hip and knee pushing the footplate away from theuser's torso. This force is countered by the force generated by the hipand knee applied through the torso against the seat, rendering the bodyrelatively motionless with respect to a fixed frame such as the ground.As the legs extend, either the footplate or the seat (or both) is moved,generally in a somewhat linear path, allowing the exercise motion toproceed. A resistance device is coupled to the moving elements toprovide the necessary resistance.

[0007] Currently, leg press exercise machines having features similar tothose disclosed in Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,080, and Simonson et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,914, include an adjustable seat for accommodatingusers having different body sizes and leg lengths. The position of theseat relative to the footplate is adjusted prior to the commencement ofexercise such that the user can exercise over a full range of motion.Alternatively, the footplate may be disposed at various initialpositions with respect to a fixed seat.

[0008] In known leg press machines, the motion of the moving portion ofthe machine is generally fixed to one linear or rotational degree offreedom. Thus, when the leg press exercise is executed, the body or themachine move in a generally linear, straight translational motion or asingle axis rotational motion. This results in an exercise which mostlystresses the quadricep muscle group in the leg, but does not fullyengage various other muscle groups in the hips and lower torso, whichare often integral to the motion of the lower body. Examples of suchmuscle groups are the hip extensor and lower back muscles.

[0009] It is desirable therefore, to provide an exercise machine for thelegs, which also incorporate a means by which the hips and lower backmuscles may be exercised to a higher intensity and with a greater rangeof motion, in addition to the muscles exercised by a traditional legpress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention provides an exercise apparatus,particularly for leg presses and in which the apparatus is relativelysimple in construction, relatively inexpensive, and provides for themaintaining of a more optimized body position throughout the transitionfrom a start position to an extended position and back. This optimizedbody positioning allows for the rearward rotation of the torso as ittranslates through the path of motion, to allow for a substantiallyincreased range of motion of the user's hip during the exercise. Inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided areversibly extending exercising apparatus that comprises a first arm anda second arm pivotably interconnected to each other such that theinterconnected arms are pivotably movable between a start position andan extended position. The first arm may be pivotably supported from anapparatus frame, while the second arm is slidably or rollably supportedon a support guide mechanism. In this way, the second arm is supportedfor movement along a predetermined path of travel, preferably inclinedrelative to horizontal, between the start and extended positions.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a leg press exercise apparatus that comprises a frame, arest member on the frame for receiving and supporting a user's feet, anda first arm,and a second arm that are pivotably intercoupled to eachother such that the arms are pivotably movable between a start positionand an extended position. The first arm is coupled to the frame,preferably adjacent of the rest member. A seat is provided forsupporting the user and is carried by the second arm. An incline basesupport member is disposed under the second arm and is for supportingthis second arm during the movement between start and extendedpositions.

[0012] In accordance with the invention there is also provided anapparatus comprising: a frame; a rest member on said frame for receivinga user's feet; a first arm and a second arm that are pivotablyintercoupled to each other such that the arms are pivotably movablebetween a start position and an extended position; said first armcoupled to said frame; a seat for supporting a torso of the user andcarried by said second arm; and an inclined base support member disposedunder said second arm for supporting the second arm during movementbetween the start and extended positions. The first arm is pivotablycoupled to said frame, the second arm following the inclined basesupport between the start and extended positions such that the torso ofthe user is rotated rearwardly relative to horizontal during movementbetween the start and extended positions. The frame includes an uprightsupport piece having at the top end thereof a pivot member for couplingsaid first arms to said frame. The apparatus includes a pivot member forintercoupling the first and second arms such that the torso of the useris translated rearwardly away from the rest member-during movementbetween the start and extended positions. The apparatus includes acarriage supported on said inclined base support member wherein thecarriage at one end thereof includes a pivot member for pivotallysupporting the carriage from said second arm. The carriage typicallycomprises spacedly disposed side plates interconnected by a lower guidemember and an upper guide member.

[0013] Further in a accordance with the invention there is provided areversibly extending exercise apparatus comprising: a pair of pivotablyinterconnected arms on which a subject is mountable on a chairmechanism; a support and guide mechanism forming a part of a frame ofthe apparatus; wherein the support and guide mechanism support one ofthe pair of pivotably interconnected arms; wherein the arms arereversibly extendible by forcible extension of the legs of the subjectbetween a rest position and an extended position; the arms beingextendible such that the subject is positioned in an upwardly proneposition at all times between the rest and extended position

[0014] In an alternative embodiment of the leg press machines of thepresent invention, the carriage assembly is mounted to the frame, so asto move along on a pair of intersecting non-orthogonal paths. Thecarriage assembly is adapted to be moved from a first position to asecond position along the non-orthogonal planes, defining an arcuatepath. The seat and backrest decline as the carriage assembly travelsfrom the first position to the second position, placing the hips inminimal flexion. Similarly, the seat and backrest incline as thecarriage assembly travels from the second position to the firstposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] A more complete understanding of the present invention, and theattendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the exerciseapparatus of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation view of the apparatusdisclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 and showing the apparatus in rest andextended positions;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus of thepresent invention with the apparatus in its extended position, but withthe seat removed for clarity;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a somewhat schematic view of the exercise apparatussimilar to that depicted in FIG. 3, but showing further cutaway details;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 astaken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

[0022] FIGS. 7A-7B are schematic representations of pairs ofnon-intersecting, non-orthogonal linear paths;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a second exemplary embodimentof the exercise apparatus of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment ofthe exercise apparatus of the present invention; and

[0025]FIG. 10 is a perspective elevation view of a third exemplaryembodiment of the exercise apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The subject invention provides a leg press machine for exercisingthe leg muscles, including the quadriceps, hamstring, calf, and gluteusmuscles. The leg press machine includes a user support structure slidingmounted to a frame, wherein the user support structure is capable ofboth translational and rotational motion. The translational androtational motion of the user support structure induces significantlygreater extension of the hips of a user when the user's legs areextended, thereby increasing the exercise intensity and range of motionof the hip extensors and lower torso muscles.

[0027] Reference is now made to the drawings herein, particularly FIGS.1-6 which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the leg press apparatusof the present invention. The apparatus comprises a frame 10 preferablyconstructed of metal. The frame is comprised of a number of differentcomponents, many of which are of square or U-shaped metal cross section.The frame 10 includes an elongated base piece 12 having at one end acurved section 14 and at its other end connects to an upright supportpiece 16. An extension member 18 is secured at about the middle of basepiece 12 as noted in, for example, FIG. 4. A pulley 20 is supported at aposition where the extension member 18 is secured to the base piece 12.

[0028] At the end of the base piece 12 where the upright support piece16 is secured, there is also provided a U-shaped support member 24.Member 24 has upstanding support members 26 and 28. These supportmembers 26 and 28, at the respective tops thereof, support footplates 30and 32. Each of these footplates 30 and 32 may carry a non-skid surface34, such as shown in either FIG. 1 or FIG. 3.

[0029] To stabilize the apparatus, frame 10 and its various membersemploy stabilizer feet. These are in the form of cylindrical members 38.These are shown, for example, in FIG. 4, two being attached to theU-shaped support member 24, and one being attached to the frame betweenthe base piece 12 and the curved section 14. The stability of theapparatus is also enhanced by the extension member 18 extending from thebase piece 12.

[0030] An inclined support member 40 is provided. Member 40 extends fromthe base piece 12 to the top of the curved section 14. The inclinedsupport member 40 functions as a fixed rail for the carriage 42.

[0031] The carriage 42 comprises two side plates 44, one disposed oneach side of the incline support member 40. These side plates areinterconnected by a lower guide member 46 and by an upper guide member48. The carriage 42 is also pivotably connected to the arm structurewhich is to be described in further detail hereinafter. This connection,as noted in the figures, is at pivot 50.

[0032] As indicated previously, in addition to the frame 10 and restmembers, namely leg plates 30 and 32, there is also provided a pair ofarms that are pivotably interconnected to each other such that the armsare pivotably movable between a start position and an extended position.In the drawings, these are identified as arms 52 and 54. These arms 52and 54 are interconnected at a common end at the pivot member 56. Thetop end of arm 52 is also pivoted at pivot member 58 such as shown inthe somewhat schematic diagram of FIG. 5. Pivot 58 is secured at the topof the upright support piece 16. Refer also to the enlarged sideelevation view of FIG. 3 which shows the pivot member 58 with the arms52 and 54 in solid and dotted position indicating two differentpositions of the linkage arms.

[0033] Also included in the apparatus of the present invention is a seat60 and its associated backrest 62 attached or rigidly connected to arm54 such that pivoting of the arm 54 simultaneously pivots seat 60 andbackrest 62. A plate 64 may be used for commonly supporting the seat 60and the backrest 64 such as indicated in FIG. 5. A reference may also bemade to the perspective view of FIG. 4 which shows the plate 64 and theseat 60 and the backrest 62 in dotted outline.

[0034] It is also noted from the drawings that the arm 54 has anupturned end 68 that supports at its top end an adjustment bar 70 thatis affixed to the plate 64 and may be used for adjusting the position ofthe seat and backrest. For this purpose, the adjustment bar 70 includesan inner-member 73 and an outer-member 74. The inner-member 73 isprovided with holes into which a pin 75 may be inserted so as to holdthe seat and backrest in any one of a number of positions along the arm54. The pin 75 may be a spring loaded pin for adjusting seat position.As also noted in FIG. 5, there may be a slidable channel or plate 80disposed between the plate 64 and the arm 54 so as to enable the seatmechanism to slide readily on the arm 54. The member 80 may beconstructed, for example, of Teflon. For proper support of the seat andbackrest, there are also provided side guides 82, such as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5. Furthermore, at one of the guides 83, there is disposedoutwardly on either side of the arm 54, handlebars 84. In this regard,also note FIG. 1 which shows the user 100 in a seated position on theseat 60 with his back against the backrest 62 and with his hand graspingone of the handlebars 84, that is the one that is visible in FIG. 1.

[0035] Now, with further regard to the drawings, and in particular, theperspective view of FIG. 4, there is clearly shown the cable arrangementfor providing the resistance to the user. In this regard, for example,in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown in dotted outline a multi-stationapparatus 88 to which the extension member 18 may be coupled, asindicated, in FIG. 2. A cable 90 may connect in the machine 88 toweights or some other mechanism for providing resistance. But, asindicated, for example, in FIG. 4 of the present application, the cable90 extends about pulley 20 and from there to a further pulley 91. Pulley91 is supported between spaced brackets 92 of the frame 10. From there,the cable 90 extends to a further pulley 94 that is rotatable but hasits supporting housing fixed directly to arm 52. The cable 90 extends toabout pulley 94 and then is secured by means of a pin 95 between thespaced brackets 92. Depending upon the amount of weight that is selectedor other form of resistance that is used, as the user moves from therest position toward an extended position, the weight and cablemechanism impose a force on the user to carry out the exercise in musclestrengthening.

[0036] Reference may now be made to FIG. 3 that shows, in solid outline,the arms 52 and 54 in a rest position. In this position, the stop plate96 is resting against the elastomeric stop 98. FIG. 3 also shows, inphantom outline, the arms 52 and 54 pivoted to a more extended position.This would also be similar to the position of the apparatus depicted inthe perspective view of FIG. 4 where it is noted that the stop plate 96is spaced away from the stop 98. FIG. 5 shows the apparatus in its restposition also with the stop 98 engaging the plate 96.

[0037] With further reference to FIG. 3, it should also be noted that asthe arm 54 moves from the solid position (initial) to the dottedposition (extended) in FIG. 3, the attitude of the arm 54 and the seat60/backrest 62 mounted on the arm 54 and changes relative to thehorizontal. This provides a comfortable body position as the userprovides leg press action between initial and extended positions.Because the arm 54 is secured at pivot 50, the carriage 42 simplytransitions along rail 40 such as between the two positions illustratedin FIG. 3 and the arm 54, seat 60 and backrest 62 pivot backwardly.

[0038] With regard to the diagram of FIG. 5, this also clearly indicatesthe position of the arm 54 in its rest position with the carriage beingagainst a stop. FIG. 5 also illustrates the cable 90 and its transitionaround the pulleys. It is noted in FIG. 5, that the pulley 20 is shown,for the sake of illustration, vertically disposed when, in actuality, itis horizontally disposed such as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment of the leg press exercise machine,the translation and rotation of the user support structure is achievedby translating the user support structure along two intersectingnon-orthogonal linear paths. For example, a front portion of the usersupport structure can travel along a first linear path and a rearportion of the user support structure can travel along a second linearpath. The translation of the user support structure along the first andsecond linear paths results in the user support structure exhibiting arotational motion, defining an arcuate path. As shown in FIG. 7A, thefront portion of the user support structure 110 travels along a firstliner path “I” and the rear portion of the user support structure 110travel along second linear path “D.” When the user support structure 110moves from a first position “P1” to a second position “P2” the frontportion travels to the apex of the first linear path “I” and the rearportion travel to the nadir of the second liner path “D.” Similarly,when the user support structure 110 moves from the second position “P2”to the first position “P1” the front portion travels to the nadir of thefirst linear path “I” and the rear portion travel to the apex of thesecond liner path “D.” The translation of the user support structure 110along the first linear path “I” and second linear path “D” results inthe user support structure 110 exhibiting a rotational motion, definingan arcuate path.

[0040] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7B, the front portion of the usersupport structure 110 travels along a first liner path “I1” and the rearportion of the user support structure travel 110 along second linearpath “I2.” When the user support structure 110 moves from a firstposition “P1” to a second position “P2” the front portion travels to theapex of the first linear path “I1” and the rear portion travel to theapex of the second liner path “I2.” Similarly, when the user supportstructure 110 moves from the second position “P2” to the first position“P1” the front portion travels to the nadir of the first linear path“I2” and the rear portion travel to the nadir of the second liner path“I2.” The translation of the user support structure 110 along the firstlinear path “I1” and second linear path “I2” results in the user supportstructure 110 exhibiting a rotational motion, defining an arcuate path.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 the leg press machine, labeledgenerally as 100, includes among other elements, a frame 102 and a usersupport structure 104 sliding mounted to the frame 102. The user supportstructure 104 includes a seat 106 and a backrest 108. The seat 106 andbackrest 108 are mounted to a carriage assembly 110, which includes apair of front slide bearings 112 and a pair of rear rollers 114. Thecarriage assembly 110 is mounted to the frame 102, wherein the frontslide bearings 112 are coupled one each about a pair of shafts 116, suchthat the front portion of the carriage assembly 110 is translatablealong a first linear path “I.” The rear rollers 114 are positioned onand engagable with a pair frame rails 118, such that the rear portion ofthe carriage assembly 110 is translatable along a second linear path“D,” where the first linear path and the second liner path areintersecting non-orthogonal paths.

[0042] The front portion of the carriage assembly 110 is pivotallycoupled to the front slide bearings 112, such that the carriage assembly110 is pivotable about point “P.” As the front and rear portions of thecarriage assembly 110 translate along paths “I” and “D,” the carriageassembly 110 pivots about point “P.” The translational and rotationalmotions of the carriage assembly 110 define an arcuate path, where theseat 106 and the backrest 108 rotate along the arcuate path.

[0043] In use, as shown in FIG. 8, a user's legs are extended byapplying a force “F” to a footplate 120, where the force “F” issufficient to overcome a machine resistance. The user support structure104 travels away from the footplate 120, with the front of the carriageassembly 110 translating along first linear path “I” to an apex, and therear portion of the carriage assembly 110 translates along the secondlinear path “D” to a nadir. The carriage assembly 110 pivots about point“P,” where the seat 106 and the backrest 108 rotate, reclining along thearcuate path. The user's legs are contracted by decreasing the force “F”until the force “F” is less than the machine resistance. The usersupport structure 104 travels towards from the footplate 118, with thefront of the carriage assembly 110 translating along first linear path“I” to a nadir, and the rear portion of the carriage assembly 110translates along the second linear path “D” to an apex. The carriageassembly 110 pivots about point “P,” where the seat 106 and the backrest108 incline along the arcuate path, to the start position.

[0044] The footplate 120 and backrest 108 are adjustable to accommodatea user's specific body size and shape. The footplate 120 is adjustedusing the footplate adjustment mechanism 122, a four-bar linkage whichallows a user to adjust the fixed position of the footplate 120 in thedirection “B.” The footrest adjustment lever 124 is coupled to thefootplate 120 to allow a user to adjust the footplate 120 while seatedand ready to perform the leg press motion. The backrest 108 isadjustable in the direction “R₄” via the backrest support 126. Thebackrest support 126 is an arcuate element having several aperturesthere though, and is fixed at one end to the backrest 108, and at theother end to the carriage assembly 110. The backrest 108 is adjusted bysliding the backrest support 126 along the direction R₄ and selectablyengaging one of its apertures.

[0045] In an embodiment, the machine resistance is provided by a weightstack operably connected to the user support structure 102. Referring toFIG. 9, a weight stack brace 128 is attached to the support frame 102,such that the weight stack 130 is easily accessible by a user positionedin the user support structure 104. Rails 132 are mounted verticallywithin the weight stack brace 128, where the weight stack 130 isslidingly mounted to the rails 132.

[0046] A transmission assembly 134 is interposed between the weightstack brace 128 and the support frame 102, where the transmissionassembly 134 includes a shaft 136, a first cam 138, and a second cam140. A weight stack pulley set 142 a and 142 b is mounted to the top ofthe weight stack brace 128, with pulley 142 a aligned with the first cam138 and pulley 142 b aligned with the weight stack 130. A firstconnecting structure 144 having a first end and a second end operablyconnects the first cam 138 to the weight stack 130. The first end of thefirst connecting structure 144 is connected to the first cam 138,wherein the first connecting structure 144 is threaded about the weightstack pulleys 142 a and 142 b, and the second end of the firstconnecting structure 144 is connected to the weight stack 130.

[0047] The second cam 140 is aligned with a frame pulley 146, wherein afirst carriages pulley 156 and a second carriage pulley 148 arepositioned above the frame pulley 146 on the carriage assembly 110. Asecond connecting structure 150 having a first end and a second endoperably connects the second cam 140 to the carriage assembly 110. Thefirst end of the second connecting structure 150 is attached the secondcam 140, where the second connecting structure 150 is threaded about theframe pulley 146 and through the first carriage pulley 156 and thesecond carriage pulley 148. The second end of the second connectingstructure 150 is secured to the frame 102 with clamp 158. As the usersupport structure 104 is moved from the start position, the carriageassembly 110 pulls the second connecting structure 150, rotating thesecond cam 140. The rotation of the second cam 150 causes the rotationof the first cam 138, via the shaft 136, raising the weight stack 130.The first connecting structure 144 and the second connecting structure150 can include belts, cables, ropes, chains, or other related typeddevices.

[0048] Other mechanisms for providing resistance can also be used, suchas friction fitting, springs, elastic bands, hydraulic, pneumatic orelectromagnetic resistance, or an air resistance fan could be employed(either alone or in combination) and still practice the invention.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the rearportion of the carriage assembly 110 includes pair of rear slidebearings 152. The rear portion of the carriage assembly 110 is mountedto the frame 102 by coupling the rear slide bearings 152 about the rearshafts 154, such that the rear portion of the carriage assembly 110 istranslatable along the second linear path “D.”

[0050] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that thepresent invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above tothe contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawingsare not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teachings without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A leg press exercise machine comprising a usersupport structure adapted to be moved from a first position to a secondposition, the user support structure traveling along a pair ofintersecting non-orthogonal paths.
 2. The leg press exercise machineaccording to claim 1, further comprising a frame including a firstsupport structure defining a first liner path and second supportstructure defining a second linear path, wherein the user supportstructure is movably mounted the first support structure and the secondsupport structure.
 3. The leg press exercise machine according to claim2, wherein the user support structure comprises a first portionslidingly mounted to the first support structure and a second portionslidingly mounted to the second support structure.
 4. The leg pressmachine according to claim 3, wherein the first portion of the usersupport structure reaches an apex of the first linear path and thesecond portion of the user support structure reaches a nadir of thesecond linear path as the user support structure travels from the firstposition to the second position.
 5. The leg press machine according toclaim 3, wherein the first portion of the user support structure reachesa nadir of the first linear path and the second portion of the usersupport structure reaches an apex of the second linear path as the usersupport structure travels from the second position to the firstposition.
 6. The leg press machine according to claim 3, wherein thefirst portion of the user support structure reaches an apex of the firstlinear path and the second portion of the user support structure reachesan apex of the second linear path as the user support structure travelsfrom the first position to the second position.
 7. The leg press machineaccording to claim 3, wherein the first portion of the user supportstructure reaches a nadir of the first linear path and the secondportion of the user support structure reaches a nadir of the secondlinear path as the user support structure travels from the secondposition to the first position.
 8. The leg press exercise machineaccording to claim 1, further comprising a footplate adjustably mountedto the frame.
 9. The leg press exercise machine according to claim 1,further comprising a resistance mechanism operably connected to the usersupport structure.
 10. The leg press exercise machine according to claim1, wherein the user support structure comprises a seat and a backrest,the seat and the backrest translating and rotating as the user supportstructure is moved between the first position and the second position.11. The leg press exercise machine according to claim 8, wherein theseat and the backrest recline as the user support structure travels fromthe first position to the second position.
 12. The leg press exercisemachine according to claim 10, wherein the seat and the backrest inclineas the user support structure travels from the second position to thefirst position.
 13. A leg press exercise machines for exercising auser's leg muscles comprising: a frame; a user support structureoperably mounted onto the frame and adapted to be moved from a firstposition to a second position, the user support structure travelingalong a pair of intersecting non-orthogonal paths; and a resistancemechanism operably connected to the user support structure.
 14. The legpress exercise machine according to claim 13, further comprising afootplate adjustably mounted to the frame and engagable by the user. 15.The leg press exercise machine according to claim 13, wherein the framecomprising a first support structure defining a first linear path and asecond support structure defining a second linear path, wherein the usersupport structure is movably mounted the first support structure and thesecond support structure.
 16. The leg press exercise machine accordingto claim 15, wherein the user support structure comprises a firstportion slidingly mounted to the first support structure and a secondportion slidingly mounted to the second support structure.
 17. The legpress machine according to claim 16, wherein the first portion of theuser support structure reaches an apex of the first linear path and thesecond portion of the user support structure reaches a nadir of thesecond linear path as the user support structure travels from the firstposition to the second position.
 18. The leg press machine according toclaim 16, wherein the first portion of the user support structurereaches a nadir of the first linear path and the second portion of theuser support structure reaches an apex of the second linear path as theuser support structure travels from the second position to the firstposition.
 19. The leg press exercise machine according to claim 11,wherein the user support structure comprises a seat and a backrest, theseat and the backrest translating and rotating as the user supportstructure is moved between the first position and the second position.20. The leg press exercise machine according to claim 19, wherein theseat and the backrest recline as the user support structure travels fromthe first position to the second position.
 21. The leg press exercisemachine according to claim 19, wherein the seat and the backrest inclineas the user support structure travels from the second position to thefirst position.
 22. A leg press exercise machines for exercising auser's leg muscles comprising: a frame including a first supportstructure defining a first linear path and a second support structuredefining a second linear path; a user support structure including afirst portion slidingly mounted to the first support structure and asecond portion slidingly mounted to the second support structure, theuser support structure adapted to be moved from a first position to asecond position along the first linear path and the second linear path,such that the user support structure declines as the user supportstructure is moved from the first position to the second position andinclines as the user support structure moves from a second position tothe first position; a footplate adjustably mounted to the frame andengagable by the user; and a resistance mechanism including a weightstack operably connected to user support structure.
 23. A leg pressmachine, comprising; a frame, a weight resistance mechanism coupled tothe frame, a footplate fixed to the frame, and a seat carriage coupledto the weight resistance mechanism and having proximal and distal endportions, and a pivot having an axis of rotation, wherein the proximalend portion is translationally movable in a first translational axis ofmotion, the distal end portion is translationally movable in a secondtranslational axis of motion, said first translational axis and secondtranslational axis skewed to each other to cause said proximal end ofseat carriage to move up and back while said distal end of seat carriagemoves down and back during the extension of the leg.